As part of World Polio Day awareness, Rotary District 6820 is sponsoring “End Polio Now” essay & poster contests for high school students in grades 10 - 12 throughout central Mississippi. Students are encouraged to research and write about or artistically depict polio history and Rotary International’s decades of work to eradicate this highly infectious disease commonly affecting children under five. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
The theme for both competitions is “The Importance of Eradicating Polio” and reflects Rotary’s continuing commitment, leadership, and steadfast partnership with volunteers, governments, and communities to immunize children across the globe with a safe and effective oral vaccine against this dangerous virus that can lead to paralysis. Dr. Suman Das, Rotary District 6820 Polio Plus Chair, says “the purpose is to encourage students to learn what polio is, how it affects people in a limited number of underdeveloped countries due to Rotary’s ongoing work, but can easily be transmitted and spread.” He says, “we’re extremely close to total eradication; but we must finish this job once and for all, and we want to tap into the innovative thoughts of young people about how to do that.”
Students are encouraged to be creative in expressing their thoughts, ideas, and depictions of their polio research. All contest entries must be the student’s own work created without the assistance of any form of AI such as ChatGPT. Winners will be awarded cash prizes and recognition at Rotary District 6820’s celebration of World Polio Day on October 24th at the Agricultural Museum in Jackson. Essays are limited to 350 words. The winning essay will receive $500; second place will receive $350. Poster entries should be 10” X 16” in size and can be color or black and white. Any artistic medium may be used such as pen, pencil, watercolor, or acrylic paint. The winning poster will receive a $400 award and be used in Polio Plus publicity and promotion throughout Rotary 6820 District.
Deadline for contest entries is Friday, September 15th. Essays should be submitted as a Word document; digital photos of poster art should be submitted in jpeg format. Email entries to Selena Swartzfager at swartsc@millsaps.edu.
Local Rotary clubs across central Mississippi will officially celebrate World Polio Day with a diversity of awareness and fundraising events. Rotary District 6820 will host a program including speakers and presentation of essay and poster contest on October 24th at the Ag Museum on Lakeland Drive in Jackson. A 5K Polio Walk/Run will be held Saturday, October 28th at Renaissance in Ridgeland. For questions or more information regarding the essay and poster competitions, contact Dr. Suman Das at dr.sumankdas@gmail.com. For Polio Run details, contact Neelam Goel at neelgoel@bellsouth.net.
